System and method to build mixed pallet layers from full pallet layers

Abstract

A method and system to build mixed pallet layers from full pallet layers comprises a palletizing / de-palletizing system, a feeding system for feeding the full pallet layers to the palletizing / de-palletizing system; and a mixed pallet output system for receiving the mixed pallet layers from the palletizing / de-palletizing system. The palletizing / de-palletizing system includes a ball table to receive and support the full pallet layers of products and to support the mixed pallet layers; a plurality of product accumulating rows located adjacent the ball table for receiving and accumulating identical products from the full pallet layers and a robot, provided with a tool, to pick products from one of the full pallet layers on the table, to store the products in a selected one of the accumulating rows, and to form a mixed pallet layer on the table by picking selected products in the accumulating rows and by positioning the selected products according to a mixed layer pattern.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60,747,420, filed May 17, 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to palletizing systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method to build mixed pallet layers from full pallet layers. [0003] There is an increasing need for palletizing applications, for example in managing product orders. Many innovations have seen the light in the well-known field of order picking. However, the proposed solutions are often complex and imply implementing space-consuming systems. [0004] A particular application where there is a need for a simple and fast solution to palletizing full mixed layers of similar boxes is in breweries or in other similar beverage bottlers. [0005] Indeed, in breweries, a few numbers of products with similar format represent the major part of the dai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003] There is an increasing need for palletizing applications, for example in managing product orders. Many innovations have seen the light in the well-known field of order picking. However, the proposed solutions are often complex and imply implementing space-consuming systems.

[0004] A particular application where there is a need for a simple and fast solution to palletizing full mixed layers of similar boxes is in breweries or in other similar beverage bottlers.

Problems solved by technology

However, the proposed solutions are often complex and imply implementing space-consuming systems.

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